Rueben's Ramblings

Hey All,

Here are the news items for today:

TELEVISION

Actor Blair Underwood (from the short-lived Ironside) will be showing up on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., playing Dr. Andrew Garner, the estranged ex-husband of Melinda May (series regular Ming-Na Wen). This will be a recurring role. (The Hollywood Reporter and Legion of Leia)

Actor AJ Buckley (CSI: NY and Supernatural) has landed a series regular role on the TNT drama Murder In The First that stars Taye Diggs and Kathleen Robertson. Buckley will play Marty “Junior” Mulligan, Hildy’s (Robertson) brother, a police officer who is recently promoted into her unit. (The Deadline Team)

Actor Jason Butler Harner (The Blacklist and Homeland) has landed a recurring role on Scandal, but – of course – details on what character he will be playing is being kept under wraps. (Natalie Abrams at Entertainment Weekly)

Q&A SECTION (with Matt Mitovich at TV Line)

Question: Do you know who is going to die during Once Upon a Time‘s mid-season finale? –Marko

Matt: Let us focus on the living, Marko! That’s my way of dodging the question to instead tell you about the role being cast for Episode 15. The ABC series is seeking an African-American actress to guest-star as “Miranda,” a 19- to 22-year-old princess. Described as “warmhearted and passionate,” this lass wants nothing more than to bring peace and beauty into the world. Yet beneath her gentle exterior, she is headstrong and full of grit – so if you cross her, you may find her more terrifying than even the most powerful kings. Did I mention she has a lovely singing voice, as well?

Question: How does Nashville plan on handling Hayden Panettiere’s real-life maternity leave? Did they find a way to incorporate her into every episode ahead of time, or will there be episodes where Juliette Barnes will not be seen? –Sharon

Matt: “We did bank some material for a few episodes,” showrunner Dee Johnson confirms for TVLine. “She may be out of one or two. It all depends on how quickly [Hayden] wants to come charging back to work.”

Question: Is NCIS‘ Tony going to be in a stable relationship this season? –sshenoy

Matt: You mean with, perhaps, ATF Agent Zoe Keates? I can confirm that Marisol Nichols has been booked for an early 2015 encore, while Emily Wickersham recently acknowledged to me that Tony and Zoe had “really great chemistry.” She added, “Tony’s love life definitely unfolds. I can say that.”

Question: Supernatural fans need some scoop on Dean, please! —Luann

Matt: Witchy Rowena didn’t come into contact with the hunter in the fall finale, but that could soon change given her son Crowley’s connection to Dean. “I think most mothers like to interfere in their children’s business,” her portrayer Ruth Connell says. “So Rowena gets to do that in the episodes to come.”

Question: Would you have some Scorpion scoops to share with us? This show really rocks with such an awesome cast. –Marla

Matt: EP Nick Wootton surveyed for us the growing Walter/Paige “connection,” saying: “Walter has his questionable emotional quotient, and Paige has been burned before and doesn’t want to proceed without her son’s best interests at heart.” As such, the show will take “a real touch-and-go approach” to that twosome and end Season 1 “with a big cliffhanger.”

Question: Anything on Hart of Dixie? –Hannah

Matt: You may already know that in the Dec. 15 season opener, Zoe goes after Wade, Lemon returns early from her cruise and there’s a surprise visitor for Brick. But beyond that, Mircea Monroe’s Tansy is coming back, in Episode 6! But with that comes some bad news for certain ‘shippers. “I don’t feel like there’s still a hope for Tansy and George,” creator Leila Gerstein reveals. “She’s back in a completely platonic capacity, but for a really important storyline. She’ll also get her own version of happiness this year.”

That’s it. Enjoy!